Help me choose my new brush (synthetic)

[gull]

I've been using The Body Shop's brush and I wanted to upgrade. From reading around, I want to get an omega brush from here

http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/syntex-shaving-brushs.html

Now, there are so many choices! Which one should I get? Is there a difference in quality when the products has "Top of the Line" written for it?

 

[danparker77]

I have never used a syth before, but this might help?

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27683

 

[BladeDE40]

I've been using a Parker synthetic for about a year now and love it...I posted a review in the brush review section. I know that Phil over at Bullgoose is also getting some nice Omega synthetics in, if they are not already in.

The biggest difference in the "top of the line" brushes is the handle...just stay away from the syntex brushes...they do not perform very well.

 

[wimbouman]

I have a Muhle, good one.
Just don't use it often in the rotation.

 

[RSC]

I've been using a Parker synthetic for about a year now and love it...

Yes, my Parker synthetic works really well for me. It's the only brush I have, though, and I don't feel the need to upgrade, so I can't really review it with any authority.

 

[gull]

The biggest difference in the "top of the line" brushes is the handle...just stay away from the syntex brushes...they do not perform very well.

Thanks for clearing that up. I think I'll get this one then

http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/om3ovwoarbab.html

I might eventually get some scales done in with that wood and my razor will match the brush

 

[bob.e]

Saphora sells one I believe it's a Jack Black or something like that

 

[BladeDE40]

Thanks for clearing that up. I think I'll get this one then

http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/om3ovwoarbab.html

I might eventually get some scales done in with that wood and my razor will match the brush

Nice selection...let me know how that works out...I've had my eye on that one as well. Do you face or bowl lather?

 

[gull]

Nice selection...let me know how that works out...I've had my eye on that one as well. Do you face or bowl lather?

I plan to get it sometime around Christmas. I'll let you know how it goes.

I bowl lather. But I've always wanted to face lather. Hopefully this brush will make it easier.

 

[weenerdog3443]

just out of curiosity, why synthetic? unless you've never had one before but I like to try everything

 

[drandall]

edwin jagger makes brushes in what they call their "new synthetic fill" and here are a few observations about mine ( i have a travel version with the same knot)

1) nylon doesn't splay like a natural fiber. until the bristles break in, the knot has a tendency to clump together and you must physically push the bristles against the skin to get them to splay. fortunately, this goes away as the bristles bend outward with use

2) the fill in incredibly soft. softer perhaps than my best silvertips. the bristles are fine and the knot itself is not dense at all

3) you would think with the description above that its lathering prowess would be minimal, but quite the opposite. these brushes can make a ton of lather from just a little bit of product. they are truly lather monsters and are the equal of the best lathering boar brushes.

so why don't they get much love here? i suspect its due to their synthetic nature. you're rubbing nylon on your face and there are people who just can't get past that. plus, the feel is different. springier and less, erm, natural. still, i think everyone should try a synthetic. they dry in a heartbeat, are generally inexpensive.

 

[TMH478]

I have a Muhle, good one.
Just don't use it often in the rotation.

I agree! This is an excellent synthetic brush. I used a friend's and it worked quite well. Different from a badger, but yet effective.

 

[Gamma]

I have the Jack Black synthetic - works very well. It is somewhat different than a badger so far as feel-on-the-face goes, but it's a very good brush. The handle is weighted very nicely, and it comes in a good case that doubles as a stand or travel box.
It's not an inexpensive option though - it was an impuse buy for me. I've been contemplating selling it, but only because I have too many brushes and 9 knots on my bench.

 

[BillyR75]

I selected an Edwin Jagger synthetic travel brush because I've been wanting a synthetic for travel. I am really impressed! It is soft but works very well with soaps. The bristles form a circle when you first soak it in water, but as you work soap into it they splay very well. After use and the final rinse the bristles will be clumped together, but just brush your hand a few times and the bristles will separate and dry nicely.

This brush is great for people allergic to natural bristles! With boar or badger brushes, I must wash the brush thoroughly in a borax solution before using or my face has an allergic reaction. The Edwin Jagger synthetic brush didn't pose this problem. It went straight from the box to the soap to my face and caused no redness at all.

 

[mikeon]

just stay away from the syntex brushes...they do not perform very well.

I like the syntex that I have - it's very dense, soft and lathers quickly.

The Men-U brush seems to be reviewed really well, and that one youtube video proclaimed it to be the undisputed brush champion or something like that. It is pricey though and the Omega synthetics are all great imo. The bush you choose looks very elegant.